PITTSBURGH, PA — Pennsylvania is taking a bold step toward breaking economic barriers with the launch of the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program. Announced on Monday by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger, the program is now accepting funding applications, promising a game-changing impact on minority-owned businesses and historically overlooked communities across the Commonwealth.
This initiative, stemming from Governor Josh Shapiro’s bipartisan 2024-25 budget, aims to create Business Assistance Service Centers that will directly support small, diverse businesses in every region of the state. These centers will provide technical guidance, help secure funding, and, most crucially, empower entrepreneurs to grow their ventures and build generational wealth.
Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunity
For far too long, minority-owned businesses have faced seemingly insurmountable barriers when trying to access capital, resources, and support. This program represents a statewide commitment to leveling the playing field. According to Governor Shapiro, the motivation is clear: “When small businesses succeed, they create opportunity for Pennsylvanians all across the Commonwealth. My administration and I are committed to breaking down barriers to progress and helping historically disadvantaged business owners and entrepreneurs achieve their dreams.”
The program will invite educational institutions, community-based nonprofits, and economic development organizations to apply for funding through January 22, 2025. The goal? To have at least one Business Assistance Service Center in every region of Pennsylvania, ensuring equal access to resources no matter where businesses are based. These centers promise to guide entrepreneurs through the complexities of starting, sustaining, and scaling their businesses.
This isn’t just about assisting entrepreneurs; it’s about economic empowerment, creating jobs, and revitalizing communities that have been left behind. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis summed it up perfectly, declaring, “When we invest in minority communities and help historically disadvantaged businesses in those neighborhoods, we’re not just supporting job creation—we’re building ladders of opportunity.”
Driving Economic Growth Through Equity
The Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program isn’t just a financial handout—it’s a targeted investment aimed at recalibrating statewide economic priorities. By focusing on minority-owned businesses and other historically disadvantaged groups, the program sends a clear message: Pennsylvania’s economy thrives when everyone has a fair shot at success.
The timing couldn’t be more crucial. With the program’s competitive application process, organizations that prove their expertise in business development will secure funding to open these service centers. And the reach doesn’t stop there. Additional funding rounds in Spring 2025 will introduce micro grant opportunities to help start-ups cover costs or assist small businesses in expanding operations.
This effort builds on the philosophy that small businesses don’t just serve as economic engines—they create cultural and communal hubs that anchor neighborhoods. When a minority entrepreneur can transform a vacant storefront into a thriving barbershop, bakery, or retail space, it sends ripples of hope and progress throughout an entire community.
A Proven Track Record of Impact
While this program is making headlines, it’s not an entirely new concept. Since its inception four years ago, the Historically Disadvantaged Business Program has directed critical resources to businesses that traditional funding pipelines often overlook. Senator Vincent Hughes, a vocal supporter and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, emphasized the significance of this effort, saying, “When we give someone the support or tools needed to open a barber shop or take over a vacant storefront, it matters to everyone that small business is serving.”
Expanding and continuing this program under the Shapiro-Davis Administration ensures not only its survival but its evolution into a centerpiece of economic policy. With dedicated leadership and funding, the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program will expand its impact, going from isolated success stories to a statewide movement.
Transforming Pennsylvania’s Economic Landscape
The ripple effects of this initiative could be monumental. Small businesses—especially those in historically disadvantaged communities—have the potential to be major drivers of economic growth. By focusing on inclusivity and diversity, Pennsylvania is building an economy that recognizes the value in every entrepreneur and business owner.
Secretary Rick Siger highlighted the stakes when he noted the potential for these efforts to touch every corner of the Commonwealth. “When small, minority-owned businesses succeed, our communities thrive, and Pennsylvania’s economy grows,” he remarked.
But the proof will be in the action. Applications are now open, and the program creates a clear path to success for organizations ready to roll up their sleeves. Whether it’s helping businesses secure loans, guiding entrepreneurs through licensing challenges, or connecting them to industry expertise, this is about more than financial support—it’s about transforming lives and redefining neighborhoods.
The Road Ahead
With applications open into early 2025, the stage is set for Pennsylvania to lead the charge in how states can address economic disparities. What sets this program apart is its proactive approach. By creating infrastructure tailored to meet minority business needs, it guarantees no community or industry is left behind.
For the countless small businesses still waiting for their big break, this program represents not just hope—but empowerment. And for Pennsylvania, it’s a decisive move toward creating a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future for all.
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